Vibration resistant electrical connector
AssigneeWoodhead Industries, Inc.
InventorsJohn P. Sullivan, Joseph F. Murphy, Bradley J. Holmes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A quick disconnect electrical connector resistant to vibration-induced disconnect includes a male connector and a female connector each having opposing segments of flexible thread which inter-engage when the male and female are assembled. The thread segments of the female connector are on a flexible wall which deflects to permit mating engagement when the two connectors are pushed together. A peripheral rim is formed in the overmold of one connector and a mating groove is formed in the overmold of the other, mating connector to form a tactile indicator that the connection is complete and to secure the two mating connectors together.
Claims15
An electrical connector adapted to be connected to a mating connector comprising:
- an insert of rigid insulating material;
- a plurality of first connecting elements at least partially embedded in said insert;
- an electrical cable including a plurality of wires, each connected to an associated one of said first connecting elements;
- an overmold body molded about a portion of said insert and an adjacent portion of said cable, said overmold body including:
- a generally cylindrical, flexible wall having an inner surface opposing and spaced from said insert;
- at least first and second separated segments of thread integrally molded onto said inner surface, and
- one of a groove and a rib formed on said inner surface and located to a rear of said segments of thread for coupling to the other of said groove and rib on said mating connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.